Why Biden is racing to build a Trump-proof US alliance system

Deepening security relations may minimise the risk of a turnaround by a new Trump administration. If the geostrategic bonds between the US and its friends are inextricably linked to America’s national interest, it will be more difficult for Trump to disrupt them.

Biden’s efforts to cement alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region have come at a time when appetite for bilateral, multilateral and minilateral cooperation against China’s advancements is growing.

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In a recent interview, Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said the Atlantic alliance had to cooperate with other actors beyond its geography to counter a budding alliance of authoritarian powers formed by China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. In this respect, he explicitly cited Japan and South Korea as potential partners in Nato’s expanded focus.

That said, Trump’s possible return to power is actually agitating Biden’s Indo-Pacific interlocutors, who are rushing to calm domestic opinion.

Kishida has emphasised that his country’s alliance with the United States would remain unbroken even if American voters elect a new president. The Philippines says as much, as does South Korea.

The problem for US allies and partners in the vast region is that Trump’s backing in the confrontation with China cannot be taken for granted.

He recently caused concern when he said he would not defend Nato allies against Russia if they did not meet their financial obligations. If he were to abandon Ukraine to its destiny in the conflict with Russia, as suggested by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban after his meeting with the former US president in March, US allies in the